The role of acculturation and binge drinking on smoking status among Mexican Americans: Comparison by border residence. (1st February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bandiera, Frank C.; Vaeth, Patrice A.C.; Caetano, Raul; Pérez-Stable, Eliseo J.
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 183(2018)
• Page Start: 205
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2018-02-01
• Subjects: United States border -- Cigarette smoking -- Acculturation -- Binge drinking -- Mexican Americans; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.11.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Highlights: There is no difference in smoking status among Mexican Americans by border status. Acculturation was not a significant predictor of smoking status among men. Acculturation was a predictor of smoking status among women. Binge drinking was a predictor of smoking status. Abstract: Background: Border Mexican Americans (MA) are exposed to poverty and under-education, all of which are predictors of cigarette smoking. Methods: This study analyzed two epidemiologic surveys among border and non-border MA. In the border sample, interviews were conducted in urban areas of U.S.-Mexico border counties of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The non-border sample consisted of respondents interviewed in Los Angeles, Houston, New York, Philadelphia, and Miami. Analyses were stratified by gender, adjusted for age and education, and modeled the effects of acculturation and binge drinking on cigarette smoking behavior. Results: There were 2595 respondents, 1307 residing in border counties and 1288 from 5 other cities. There was no difference in cigarette smoking in the past 12 months between border and non-border MA among men (25.8% vs. 29.4%) or women (9.4% vs. 9.9%), respectively. Acculturation was not significantly related with cigarette smoking among men; however, women with high acculturation levels were more marginally likely to be past year smokers than those with low acculturation (RRR = 2.06, 95% CI 0.97–4.78). Binge drinking was associated with being past year smoker in both men (RRR = 3.54, 95% CI = 2.31–5.42) and women (RRR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.17–4.27), but not with being a former smoker. Conclusions: Border residence did not influence cigarette smoking behavior among Mexican Americans and both groups had significant associations between smoking and binge drinking.